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BLOG POST

Density Takes Center Stage in the Pandemic, Again

The latest in a series of compendia tackling the effects of the pandemic, now and in the future, for cities and communities.

January 7 - James Brasuell

Houston, Construction

Watch: Planning Without Zoning, Explained

Fans of Houston probably won't want to watch this video that calls the Space City a "jumbled up garbage town."

January 7 - Half as Interesting

Baltimore Rail

Report Highlights the Need for Local Governance in Baltimore Transit

The unique structure of the Maryland Transit Administration leaves local stakeholders out of decision-making.

January 7 - Greater Greater Washington

Scooter and Bike Share

The State of the Micromobility Industry

The North American Bikeshare Association released the first-ever state of the industry report for active forms of micromobility—i.e., bike share and electric scooter rental companies.

January 7 - Smart Cities Dive

Washington State

Small Cities Relax Accessory Dwelling Units Regulations Too

A city of about 40,000 residents across the Puget Sound from Seattle has relaxed zoning regulations to entice more homeowners to build accessory dwelling units.

January 7 - The Urbanist


Trump Administration

Trump Takes a Final Swipe at the Civil Rights Act

The Department of Justice has proposed a change to the interpretation of disparate impact in Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and many anti-discrimination laws that followed.

January 7 - The Washington Post

Boston

BLOG POST

Housing First; Cars Last

Underutilized parking lots are a costly waste. By managing parking more efficiently, cities can free up land to house people rather than cars.

January 7 - Todd Litman


Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, MA

'Housing Choice' Approved in Massachusetts

The Housing Choice initiative, one of the country's most sweeping planning and development reforms to date, was included in a large economic development package approved by the Massachusetts Legislature earlier this week.

January 7 - Mass Live

Old Man Cyclist

How to Sustain the Pandemic Bike Boom

With bike sales soaring as people seek out safe outdoor recreation, institutional support and investment can maintain the growth of cycling as commuters start going back to work.

January 6 - The Verge

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

GE's Massive Offshore Wind Turbine Makes Waves in the Industry

With a diameter longer than two football fields, a new wind turbine design promises to revolutionize the wind energy industry.

January 6 - The New York Times

Venice Beach Coronavirus

Los Angeles Mayor Blames COVID Outbreak on Density

Appearing on a Sunday news show, Mayor Eric Garcetti noted that the Los Angeles metropolitan region is the nation's densest and one of two primary reasons why "we're seeing a person every six seconds contract COVID-19 here in Los Angeles County."

January 6 - CBS News

Cable Car

What Will California's Commutes Look Like After COVID-19?

As the pandemic begins to wind down, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's Deborah Dagang speculates on the future of commuting, traffic, and public transit as Californians slowly return to their travel routines.

January 6 - The Mercury News

renewable Energy

Majority of Power in the U.K. Generated by Wind for the First Time

Wind power generated 50.67 percent of the U.K.’s energy supply on one day in December, marking a major milestone in the history of renewable energy.

January 6 - The Hill

Norfolk, Virginia

Next Up for Bus System Redesign: Norfolk, Virginia

The Norfolk City Council will vote in February on a draft transit system redesign organized around the principle of a high frequency grid, similar to system redesigns in other cities in recent years.

January 6 - The Virginia Mercury

14th Street Busway New York City

Judge Clears the Obstacles for Queens Busway Project

One piece of New York City's Better Buses Action Plan has been relieved of legal resistance.

January 6 - amNew York

Atlanta, Georgia

First Wave of Affordable Housing Bonds Ratified in Atlanta

A down payment on a $100 million investment in affordable housing is moving forward in Atlanta.

January 6 - The Atlanta Voice

California Shelter-in-Place

FEATURE

Planning and the Pandemic: Trends From 2020

If ever there was a doubt about the sheer depth and breadth of intersectionality found in the practice and theory of planning, the pandemic provides daily reminders.

January 5 - James Brasuell

Diverging diamond interchange in Springfield, Missouri.

Diverging Diamond Interchange Puts Drivers on the Left Side of the Road

The unusual design improves traffic flow and reduces the danger of head-on collisions as cars enter the I-5 freeway.

January 5 - Seattle Times

Houston's downtown skyline

From Dumps to Solar Farms, One Houston Neighborhood Is Planning its Own Future

After decades of fighting landfills and pollution in their community, residents of Sunnyside are working to build a more sustainable future.

January 5 - One Breath Partnership

Multi-Modalism

Add More Bicycle Friendly Communities to the List

The League of American Bicyclists announced in December the round of Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) awards.

January 5 - The League of American Bicyclists

Post News

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.